Driveways Is A Film About Reconnecting The Human Soul
83 minutes. That is the total runtime for Andrew Ahn’s sophomore feature Driveways, and yet in its 83 minute runtime, the film says all that it needs to without a lapse in breath, judgement, or error. Released in 2020, Driveways is the rare emotion-mending film that we so desperately need, and it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
There isn’t really much to discuss or say about Driveways apart from its fairly simple plot. Hong Chau plays Kathy, a single mother who, with her eight-year-old son, Cody (Lucas Jaye), travels to the house of her late sister in order to clean it up and sell it. In their journey to tidying up the house, they meet their next door neighbour, Del, played fantastically by the late Brian Dennehy, of which Cody develops an unlikely bond with.
One of the beaming positives of Driveways is its plot, or lack thereof, partially due to how Andrew Ahn sets up film with its three lead characters. For its short runtime, there really isn’t a big menacing twist, mind-inducing revelation, or even a big colliding conflict for viewers to dig into. There isn’t. And yet, in just over about an hour, this film breezes by without any intrusion, displaying a tight focus towards the relationships and bonds that are created, especially with its three main magnificent leads: Hong Chau, Lucas Jaye, and Brian Dennehy.
Hong Chau’s performance is mightily inspiring, not because of how she portrays Kathy as a rundown single mother who is looking to repair certain aspects of her life and her motherhood, but also in trying to resolve the hurt that she has with her late sister who she feels is nothing short of a stranger. In fact, the house that Kathy is trying so desperately to clean out and sell acts as another familiar character: Regret. It permeates through all of our main characters, and finally, to the audience.
Newcomer Lucas Jaye is exceptional as Cody, who elevates the character with sincerity and authenticity, and begins to grow out of his shell as the movie unfolds. His performance, while stirring, also showcases how he balances relief, kindness, and empathy, especially in certain big moments throughout the film. Jaye’s eyes are both hopeful and distinctive, but it is his emotional connection with Del that forms the rock of the film.
Brian Dennehy as Del is understated in his performance, in his dialogue, and most importantly, in his connection with Cody and with Kathy. Del’s life in the film has never been anything more than he had known, but this moving performance is uplifted and elevated by Dennehy’s sensitive and intimate portrayal that never feels mockish, never feels overplayed, and never feels anything less than beautiful. This serenity in the film is closed in its final scene, but even by then, Dennehy’s performance stays through the credits, and with us, even after we’ve finished watching.
For a sophomore feature, Andrew Ahn understands how effectively to undertake the story with moments that are both close, tight, and ultimately rewarding. There’s never a sense of dread or a sense of upheaval, but that’s what makes the movie gentile in its execution and warm in the relationship it crafts. His sensibility in being able to bring out the best from these three characters, all with a sense of broken-ness about them, comes together in a fulfilling scene in the form of a celebration.
Above all, Driveways’ release in 2020 was not only one of the best things to have happened this year, but it couldn’t have happened at a much more perfect time. It’s themes of loss, grief, sentimentality and rebuilding the human connection is not only relatable and assuredly a hallmark of the film, but among all of its positives, it is the one that stands out most due to its ability to reconnect the human soul.
There is something simply beautiful about Driveways, but it never feels like it misses anything more. It’s raw, it’s unending, but in its quiet moments, the film shines the brightest.
It’s not just about the relationship of Del and Cody.
It’s not just about Kathy finally coming to terms with her sister’s passing.
It’s not just about Kathy’s motherly love and bond with her son.
It’s about all of it. It’s about reconnecting the human soul that we had thought we’d lost, and now, we’ve found again.
Driveways is available on Amazon Prime, and it is my favourite movie of 2020 (so far). What’s yours? Let me know.
